Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has requested the record of development projects funded by international financial institutions in the country.
A meeting of the Senate’s Economic Affairs Committee was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Senator Saifullah Abro, where officials from the Economic Affairs Division briefed the committee on all ongoing and completed projects.
Chairman of the Committee, Saifullah Abro, stated that it has been reported that loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were distributed among Members of the National Assembly (MNAs).
He noted that while the government approaches the IMF for loans, it does not specify the purpose of the loans.
He mentioned that a few years ago, 900 million rupees were given to each MNA. In December 2022, MNAs were given 50 crore rupees each.
When the committee inquired about these funds with Public Works Department (PWD) officials, they were unable to justify the expenditure.
Saifullah Abro said it was reported that 50 crore rupees were spent, which seems implausible as it is unlikely an MNA could spend 50 crore rupees in just five days.
He suggested that the announcement to provide funds to MNAs followed the receipt of money from the IMF.
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has requested records of development projects funded by international financial institutions from 2002 to 2024.